What is your education?

[Saluki]

I am just curious as to how many pro astronomers are here as opposed to people in other professions who simply have an interest in astronomy. I am a BS mechanical engineer who has had an interest in astronomy since I was a small child. My work has nothing to do with astronomy, but I still have a burning interest in it.

Edit: If your education is non-science, feel free to post it. I ran out of poll options.

[dakini]

I'm working on a bachelor's in physics. I think I'm going to switch into astrophysics for next year.

[Matherly]

I have a Bachelor's of Business Administration (specialzing in Management Information Systems) from Texas A&M University (WHOOP!)

I just hang here to... er... goof off mostly.

[Swift]

Ph.D. in chemistry. Interest in astronomy and science generally. And fun place to goof off.

[snabald]

Associates in electronic engineering, A+ Certification. I fix computer controlled machinery for a living. Astronomy is just one of my hobbies.

[Monique]

PhD in Mathematics

[Robert Andersson]

Similar thread two weeks ago: Poll: Education Level (http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?t=30837)

[Candy]

BS in Technical Management - I'm Tier 1 for fixing computers and telephones for North America and International Reservation Offices. I work for an airline. I'm really mean to Tier 2 and Tier 3 if the service isn't fast enough. Don't worry, they love me. ;)

I've loved Astronomy since high school. I'm the kid that asks all the stupid questions about the Asteroid Belt. "Are you sure it wasn't a planet that blew up?" Or the Kuiper Belt... "Are you sure it's not a planet still developing?" My teachers/professors hated me. :)

My real love is Space Travel.

[Candy]

Similar thread two weeks ago: Poll: Education Level (http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?t=30837)
There was another before these two. I didn't have my BS then, so this is better. I graduated Summa Cum Laude, June 19th, 2005. :)

[Saluki]

PhD in Mathematics


Just curious, do you consider it a "science" degree? Some schools consider mathmatics a BA program and others call it a BS program. IMO, there is no science (or engineering for that matter) without mathmatics, so I would call it a science.

[tmosher]

BS - Aviation Management
AAS - Liberal Arts
AAAS - Business Administration
AS (almost) Life Sciences

[John Jones]

masters in chemistry. Astronomy enthusiast with nothing but binoclars for now.

[genebujold]

I've a BS in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, a BS in Finance, an MBA, a Masters in IT, and numerous professional certifications above and beyond. I once added it up and it came to about 4,000 hours of instruction...)

[Charlie in Dayton]

Associate's degree in Applied Sciences (Computer Support Services). Graduated college six weeks short of my 30th high school reunion...

"Hey, guess what I did last month!!!"...

[Candy]

Associate's degree in Applied Sciences (Computer Support Services). Graduated college six weeks short of my 30th high school reunion...

"Hey, guess what I did last month!!!"...
Congratulations, Charlie! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/verkleidung/costumed-smiley-033.gif

[Reina]

I've a BS in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, a BS in Finance, an MBA, a Masters in IT, and numerous professional certifications above and beyond. I once added it up and it came to about 4,000 hours of instruction...)

I have to ask, why do you have so many degrees? And what is your current profession?

[crosscountry]

you may find this thread helpful.

http://www.bautforum.com/showthread.php?t=30837

[crosscountry]

I'm currently working towards a Masters and PhD

My bachelor degree is in Physics.

[Mosheh Thezion]

I am a self taught madman....

and i grew up watching 8 hour of television a day till i was in high school, which i dropped out of, then i went to college...
and i couldnt stand it.. it was so slow and boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so i asked my teachers... why?? why is it so slow..? so boring?

why dont we get to the meat and start eating it?

the first two lied.. and made excuses... ( so we learn better.. ha)

the third... told me the truth.

they can ... can teach many courses in say 2 months, rather than taking 6...

but if they did so, then the teachers would be out of work.
and if they can't work all year round, there wouldnt be many teachers at all....


and it is intentional... its an unspoken agreement between teachers and students...
the teacher teaches slow, so he gets to have a decent living...
and the student puts up with the slowness, in gratitude for an education.

that was the day i left school, and started teachning myself.

-MT

[Candy]

they can ... can teach many courses in say 2 months, rather than taking 6...
This is why I transferred to Ball State from Purdue, because they had trimesters. BSU then converted to semesters, so I got distracted again.

DeVry University has an Accelerated Program for "gifted students". The courses were 8 weeks in length. I actually maintained interest in this environment and graduated.

[AGN Fuel]

the third... told me the truth.

they can ... can teach many courses in say 2 months, rather than taking 6...

but if they did so, then the teachers would be out of work.
and if they can't work all year round, there wouldnt be many teachers at all....

and it is intentional... its an unspoken agreement between teachers and students...
the teacher teaches slow, so he gets to have a decent living...
and the student puts up with the slowness, in gratitude for an education.


Um, I am not in any way qualified to comment on the American education system, but I can't believe that it is so far removed from the Australian one that this can be an accurate reflection.

Having both parents and a wife who were/are all teachers, this is not reflective of the teaching professionals that I know exist - at least here in Australia.

(Re the OP, I have a Masters in Astronomy, but to my great regret I don't work in that field).

[Candy]

Um, I am not in any way qualified to comment on the American education system, but I can't believe that it is so far removed from the Australian one that this can be an accurate reflection.

Having both parents and a wife who were/are all teachers, this is not reflective of the teaching professionals that I know exist - at least here in Australia.

(Re the OP, I have a Masters in Astronomy, but to my great regret I don't work in that field).
I believe Mosheh Thezion is a product of fallen between the lines of "normal" learning, as I am or was. I learn at an incredible rate, and when you stretch it out over months and months, it gets rather boring. Why don't our teachers see this? It's ever increasing.

[William_Thompson]

Getting a Computer Science Degree at UT Knoxville mostly under MIT grad, Dr. David Straight shaped the way I think more than any other experience.
I also have a Degree in Image Processing.
And I am a former Naval Intelligence Specialist.

Since I was a kid I preferred trying to figure out how magic tricks were done rather than just sit back and enjoy the illusion. It is more fun knowing how things work.

I love coming up with origional ideas or new ways of looking at topics.

I am proud of some possible solutions I have in mind to some complex problems.

Lately I have been most interested in finding out how people's minds work and how they reach conclusions that seem completely illogical to me.

The best thing of all is that I am Lucas Thompson's Dad.

[William_Thompson]

And I am working on completetranslations.com (a little bit each week)

And I am working full time at a large defense contract company.

And I have plans for producing a new internet browser based on FireFox open source.

[genebujold]

How can I vote on this? Your poll options are incomplete!!!

To wit:

3 years Aerospace and Ocean Engineering + 2 years Finance = BS in Finance, Insurance, and Business Law

MBA

MS Information Systems

Professional education including 16 years of flying the friendly skies!

Personal education including reading everything I can get my hands on.

Is anyone here even remotely aware that the "scientific greats" rose well above their peers because they were "self-taught" to all levels beyond their peers?

Where in this myopic poll is there room for this?

[jami cat]

I tried several college starts but forced into 20 years exp in making stuff...

oh..um...machining, sheet metal and welding...bla >:

[Eta C]

Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. All in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. OK, so I committed academic incest. However, I also have strong interests in literature, history (especially naval history), music (I played trombone for many years and have been a fan of all types of music, well, almost all, since high school). I've been a ballroom dancer for over 20 years and an instructor for over 10 (nice to have a hobby that pays for itself). Does that cover it all? Maybe I'm not a renaissance man, but I like to think I'm somewhat well rounded.

[TheBlackCat]

I have a BS in Biomedical Engineering and am currently working on my PhD in the same subject. Once I get my PhD I will also get technically have a masters degree.

[Candy]

I've been a ballroom dancer for over 20 years and an instructor for over 10 (nice to have a hobby that pays for itself).
I love watching Ballroom dancing on TV. I'm impressed, Eta C.

[swansont]

PhD in physics. Though I have had the job title of "Astronomer" as one of my postdocs, I never really did any astronomy.

[Dr Nigel]

My highest qualification is my PhD in Biochemistry (hence my username in the forum). In the British system, you kind of get an MPhil on the way to getting a PhD, but I generally don't count that as a separate qualification. My Bachelor's was in Biochemistry with Chemistry.

I've been an on-and-off amateur astronomer for about 20 years (not many places in the UK for good dark skies).

[DigitalKnight]

A BS in Electrical / Electronic Engineering, a BS in Computer Engineering, and a couple of classes on Astronomy for fun even if my advisor didn't understand why.

[farmerjumperdon]

Bachelor's, Geography, planning emphasis. Minors in Econ and PoliSci.

I thought we just did this recently.